User-expandable changing pad

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a user-expandable changing pad wherein a user may removably attach one or more sections, each section of which may contain one or more segments, each segment of which may have one or more pockets or other mechanisms for securing useful items. The user-expandable changing pad may be securely closed with and without any removably attachable sections, and two or more removably attachable sections may be securely closed to one another.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to devices designed for the purpose of carrying items necessary for the care of infants, and in particular to an improvement on the design, organization, ease of carrying, and usefulness of changing pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generic changing pads are well known in the art. In general, a changing pad is acts as a barrier between a child and another surface, the goal being to protect the child from a potentially rough surface or from any irritants or infectious agents that may exist on the surface, or conversely, protecting the surface from any potential runoff from the infant.

Some changing pads incorporate multiple types of materials on different surfaces in order to achieve these different uses. For example, the interior surface may comprise a soft, flexible, but waterproof material which overlays a thin piece of padding, while the exterior surface may comprise a heavy tear-resistant waterproof membrane.

The singular characteristic of all of the prior types of changing pads is the fact that they are not designed to hold or carry anything. These older styles of changing pads are stand-alone items, which by necessity require that be carried within a large item, such as a diaper bag. This diaper bag is further designed to hold not only the changing pad, but all of the other essentials for changing the diapers of a child, such as the diapers, wipes, lotions, etc. In addition to this, most diaper bags further allow for the a carrying of changes of clothing, bottles, food, toys and other items of interest to the child. As such, these diaper bags become overly large and cumbersome.

Thus, what is required is a changing pad that can be augmented with additional sections which will allow a care giver access to only those items which are required in order to change the diaper and/or clothing of a child. In this fashion, the changing pad, even including these additional sections, remains a more simple, compact structure, more easily transported, by itself or inside of a larger container, while insuring that the essential components for changing the child are always readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises several general aspects. Each of those can if desired be combined with additional features, including features disclosed and/or not disclosed herein, the resultant combinations representing more detailed optional embodiments of these aspects.

A first aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for both changing a child's garments and for transporting items essential or useful for changing a child's garments, comprising a user-expandable changing pad wherein said changing pad is of a size suitable for containing a child while in the act of changing the attire of the child, and wherein at least one additional section may be removably attached to said changing pad. Said additional section(s) may contain diapers, clothes, washing material, etc., or may be used by the parent to carry other items such as a cell phone, wallet, etc.

In various embodiments of this aspect at least one first and at least one other removably attachable sections may be removably attached. Said at least one first and at least one other removably attachable sections may be attached to said changing pad at the same time or in sequence. Further, said first and said other section(s) may be independently attached and detached from said changing pad. In various forms of these embodiments, said first and said other section(s) may be different or may be the same. In other forms of these embodiments, the removably attachable sections may have at least one segment or may have at least two segments.

In another embodiment, the user-expandable changing pad may comprise at least one area of padding. In certain forms of this embodiment, the padded area is configured to support the child's head.

In still other embodiments, at least one segment of said removably attachable section may have at least one pocket. In various forms of this embodiment, the pocket may be either internal to said section or secured to an external surface of said section. In various other forms, at least one portion of said pocket may comprise mesh or a solid, opaque material. In still other forms, said pocket may be releasable sealed. In yet other forms, said pocket may comprise means for securing articles within said pocket.

In another embodiment, said at least one removably attachable section may be affixed via at least one zipper, at least one Velcro segment, and/or at least one snap, or some combination of zipper(s), Velcro segment(s) and/or snap(s).

In various embodiments, the user-expandable changing pad, including its padded section, may have a thickness of approximately one inch when folded. In related embodiments, at least one removably attachable section may have a thickness between one and two inches when folded. In still other related embodiments, the combination of a user-expandable changing pad and at least one removably attachable section may have an overall thickness of between two inches and four inches when folded. In certain forms of these embodiments, the folded thickness further includes materials contained within the removably attachable sections.

In yet other embodiments, the user-expandable changing pad may be securely closed without attaching any removably attachable sections, or with at least one removably attachable section affixed. In some related embodiments, a set of at least two removably attachable sections, affixed to one another, can be securely closed without requiring said set to be affixed to said changing pad.

A second aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for changing a child's inner and/or outer garments comprising a changing pad wherein only at least one area of at least one portion includes padding. In one embodiment of this aspect, the padded area is positioned so as to support a child's head.

A third aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for changing a child's inner and/or outer garments comprising a changing pad and at least one section permanently attached to said changing pad, wherein said at least one section has at least one segment, and said at least one segment has at least one pocket, and said changing pad comprises a top portion, a center portion, a bottom portion, and left and right side portions, wherein said device when folded in such a fashion as to have at least one of its folded dimensions being approximately ⅓ the longest dimension of said changing pad's central portion, may have an overall thickness of between two and four inches. In one embodiment of this third aspect at least one of said pockets may be configured to contain at least one container for holding elements essential for changing the garments of a child and/or said elements themselves without a container. In another embodiment only at least one area of at least one portion of said changing pad may include padding. In a related embodiment, the padded area may be positioned so as to support a child's head.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of advantages is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, nor to suggest that every form of the invention will have all of the following advantages. As will be seen from the remainder of this disclosure, the present invention provides a variety of features. These can be used in different combinations. The different combinations are referred to as embodiments. Most embodiments will not include all of the disclosed features. Some simple embodiments can include a very limited selection of these features. Those embodiments may have only one or a few of the advantages described below. Other preferred embodiments will combine more of these features, and will reflect more of the following advantages. Particularly preferred embodiments, that incorporate many of these features, will have most if not all of these advantages. Moreover, additional advantages, not disclosed herein, that are inherent in certain embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those who practice or carefully consider the invention.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by the apparatus described herein which overcome problems inherent in traditional changing pads and associated carrying devices. Those problems include either no padding or too much padding, no seamless assembly for carrying items necessary for changing the child, and no way to conveniently vary the amount of or type of items able to be carried along with the changing pad.

Thus, when compared to other changing pads the user-expandable changing pad offers several new and important advantages. The advantages offered by the various embodiments of this invention include:

-   -   Partial padding. Traditional changing pads have either no         padding (or no substantial padding), or are completely padded.         These extremes cause either of two problems: those with no or         limited padding transfer the surface features of any object         through to the child; those with too much padding are too bulky         to transport conveniently.     -   Removably attachable sections. Changing pads in and of         themselves only solve one problem, that of preventing the child         from exposure to a potentially unclean surface. They fail to         resolve the problem of having the necessary items readily         available when needed, or of being able to include only those         items that are required.     -   Included pockets. A removable section by itself is made more         useful with various methods of holding and securing the items         required.     -   Multiple connection methods. Different types of removably         attachable sections are made more useful by being of different         sizes, dimensions, etc. In order to insure that these different         sections can be attached to the changing pad and/or to each         other, various connection methods are incorporated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

6.1 FIGS. 1-3

FIG. 1 through 3 detail variations on a basic changing pad 110, comprising a top portion 111, central portion 112, bottom portion 113 and two side portions 114, where the bottom, top and side portions fold along a line comprising the edges of the central portion. In FIG. 1, the two side portions are rectangular, while in FIG. 2 the side portions trapezoidal in nature.

In FIG. 3, the entire changing pad 110 is rectangular in shape, although it too comprises a top 111, central 112, bottom 113, and side portions 114. However, the various portions are seamlessly interconnected. As such, the folding mechanics have changed, requiring that the various portions partially overlay one another along their joint diagonal seams when folded.

It should be noted that several other combinations and/or variations on these basic patterns will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

6.2 FIGS. 4-6

FIGS. 4 through 6 demonstrate various configurations for attaching a removably attachable section 120 to the user-expandable changing pad 110. Although shown only with a changing pad with rectangular portions, any style of changing pad previously detailed, and other obvious combinations/variations on these styles could be used.

FIG. 4 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111.

FIG. 5 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to a side portion 114.

FIG. 6 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113.

6.3 FIGS. 7-13

FIGS. 7 through 13 display various configurations for attaching a first removably attachable section 120 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 to a use-expandable changing pad 110. The two removably attachable sections can be affixed to at least two separate portions of the changing pad, or can be affixed to each other and one portion of the changing pad. As previously noted, although not shown, any style of changing pad could be substituted for the pad shown. Additionally, although not shown, the order of attachment of the first and the at least one other removably attachable sections could be swapped/reversed without changing the intent of these specific embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to the bottom portion 113.

FIG. 8 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to a side portion 114.

FIG. 9 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to a side portion 114.

FIG. 10 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to one side portion 114 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to the other side portion 114.

FIG. 11 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said first removably attachable section 120.

FIG. 12 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said first removably attachable section 120.

FIG. 13 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably attachable section 120 affixed to a side portion 114 and at least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said first removably attachable section 120.

6.4 FIGS. 14-17

FIGS. 14 through 17 display side and top views of a changing pad showing an area that has been enhanced with extra padding in the section which would support the child's head. The physical link between the top 111 and center 112 portions may be altered to enable the top portion to fold either backwards or forwards.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a top and side view of the changing pad's top 111 and center 112 portions, where the top portion further contains a padded portion 130.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a top and side view of the changing pad's top 111 and center 112 portions, where the top portion and a section of the center portion further contain a padded portion 130.

6.5 FIGS. 18-21

FIGS. 18 and 21 detail various locations and types of pockets 140, 141 and/or 142 attached to or integral to a removably attachable section 120.

In FIG. 18 a pocket 140 is integral to a removably attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket is located perpendicular to the long axis of the removably attachable section.

In FIG. 19 a pocket 140 is attached to a removably attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket is located parallel to the long axis of the removably attachable section.

In FIG. 20 a mesh pocket 141 is attached to a removably attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket is located parallel to the long axis of the removably attachable section.

FIG. 21 details a multi-segment removably attachable section 120. In this instance, the first segment contains an internal resealable pocket 142, and the second segment contains two pockets, a smaller external mesh pocket 141, and a larger external transparent pocket 143.

6.6 FIGS. 22-26

FIGS. 22 through 26 detail top views of one of the many possible transitions from open to closed for the use-expandable changing pad 110.

FIG. 22 starts with the changing pad in the fully open position. In FIG. 23, the side portions 114 are closed over the center portion 112. Then in FIG. 24 the top 111 and bottom 113 portions are closed over center portion 112. Finally, FIG. 25 shows the center portion 112 having been folded over onto itself, in this instance at approximately ⅓ of the way from its top and bottom.

FIG. 26 shows a side view of FIG. 25, detailing the locking mechanism 160 which is then used to maintain the changing pad in its closed position.

6.7 FIGS. 27-29

FIGS. 27 through 29 detail side views of some of the various securely folded configurations of user-expandable changing pads 110 with one or more removably attachable sections 120, and 120 and 121, along with a locking mechanism 160.

In FIG. 27, a single removably attachable section 120 is enclosed within the folded user-expandable changing pad 110.

In FIG. 28, a first 120 and a second 121 removably attachable section are enclosed within the folded user-expandable changing pad 110.

In FIG. 29, a first 120 and a second 121 removably attachable section are external to the folded user-expandable changing pad 110, but are sealed by the locking mechanism 160.

6.8 FIG. 30

FIG. 30 details the ability of at least two removably attachable sections 120, 121, to be securely folded using a locking mechanism 160 independently of their attachment of to a user-expandable changing pad 110. 

1. A user-expandable changing pad comprising a changing pad, wherein at least one additional section can be removably attached to said changing pad by the user.
 2. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least one first and at least one other removably attachable section can be removably attached.
 3. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 2 wherein said first and said other sections are different.
 4. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 2 wherein said first and said other sections are the same.
 5. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said one additional removably attachable section comprises at least one segment.
 6. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said one additional removably attachable section comprises at least two segments.
 7. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least two sections can be independently removably attached.
 8. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least one area of said changing pad includes padding.
 9. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 8 wherein the padded area supports the child's head.
 10. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least one segment of said removably attachable section has at least one pocket.
 11. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at least one pocket is secured to the outside surface of said removably attachable section.
 12. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein at least one portion of said at least one pocket comprises mesh.
 13. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein at least one portion of said at least one pocket comprises a solid opaque material.
 14. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at least one pocket can be releasable sealed.
 15. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at least one pocket contains additional components for securing articles within said pocket.
 16. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one zipper.
 17. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one piece of Velcro.
 18. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one snap.
 19. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the changing pad, including its padded section, has a thickness of approximately one inch when folded.
 20. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at least one removably attachable section has a thickness between one and two inches when folded.
 21. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the changing pad, including its padded section, and further including at least one removably attachable section, has a thickness between two and four inches when folded.
 22. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said changing pad can be securely closed without any removably attachable sections.
 23. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the set comprising said changing pad and at least one removably attachable section can be securely closed.
 24. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein a set of at least two removably attachable sections, affixed to one another, can be securely closed without requiring said set to be affixed to said changing pad. 7.1.2 Second Aspect
 25. A changing pad wherein only at least one area of at least one portion includes padding.
 26. A changing pad as in claim 25 wherein the padded area supports the child's head. 7.1.3 Third Aspect
 27. A device for changing the inner and/or outer garments of a child, comprising a changing pad and at least one section permanently attached to said changing pad, wherein said at least one section has at least one segment, and said at least one segment has at least one pocket, and said changing pad comprises a top portion, a center portion, a bottom portion, and left and right side portions, wherein said device when folded in such a fashion as to have at least one of its folded dimensions being approximately ⅓ the longest dimension of said changing pad's central portion, has an overall thickness of between two and four inches.
 28. A device as in claim 27 wherein at least one of said pockets contains at least one container for holding elements essential for changing the garments of a child and/or said elements themselves without a container.
 29. A device as in claim 27 wherein at least one area of said changing pad includes padding.
 30. A device as in claim 27 wherein the padded area supports the child's head. 